Decarb America: How All 50 States Can Get America to Net-Zero by 2050

We know why we NEED to address climate change, but Americans should WANT bold action to build a clean energy economy because we can create new jobs, new businesses, and cleaner air and water in every state.  

Research from the Decarb America Research Initiative shows that all 50 states will have the opportunity to participate in a clean energy economy by taking advantage of a diversity of natural resources. From solar power in the southwest, to biofuels in our farmbelt, to offshore wind along the East Coast, every single state will be able to contribute to our clean energy economy while enjoying new economic benefits and growing their clean energy workforce. With the right policies in place, we can create over 500,000 new clean energy jobs by 2030 alone by investing in a historic buildout of clean energy infrastructure.

The Decarb America Research Initiative analyzes policy and technology pathways for the United States to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our work aims to advance our understanding of the tradeoffs in different strategies for achieving net-zero and to identify the national, regional, and state-level economic opportunities that a new clean energy economy will generate. Our analytical results are intended to inform policymakers and other key decision makers as they consider options for addressing climate change and modernizing America’s energy systems.

Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program designs and advocates for policies that will drive innovation and deployment of clean energy technologies and place the United States on the fastest, fairest path to net-zero emissions by mid-century.